A prominent Iranian cleric, Alireza Panahian, has stirred international attention with his remarks following the recent escalation of hostilities between Iran and Israel. Speaking in the aftermath of a deadly 12-day confrontation, Panahian described the losses sustained by Iran as a “small price” in what he called a reaffirmation of the long-standing slogan, “Death to Israel.”
The cleric’s comments were reported by Iran International, coming just as a tentative ceasefire begins to hold, offering a fragile pause to the most direct military exchange between both countries in recent history. The conflict, which involved an intense barrage of missiles, drone strikes, and sophisticated cyber offensives, marked a dangerous new chapter in the decades-long animosity between Tehran and Tel Aviv.
Panahian, a close ally of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and known for his hardline rhetoric, suggested that the recent confrontation had “vindicated” Iran’s ideological posture towards Israel. “These blows we’ve taken were a low cost to show that the slogan ‘Death to Israel’ was right,” he reportedly said, in reference to the damage Iran sustained during the fighting.
The war, which erupted earlier this month, saw both sides target each other’s military facilities and infrastructure, with collateral damage affecting civilian areas in what analysts describe as a dangerous spiral. Israeli defence officials claimed they had neutralised several Iranian assets, while Tehran accused Tel Aviv of escalating tensions through aggression and regional interference.
Although no formal peace agreement has been reached, the current ceasefire was brokered through back-channel communications involving several regional and international actors. The truce remains shaky, with observers warning that the absence of a long-term diplomatic framework could see violence resume at any moment.
Global reactions to Panahian’s comments have been mixed. While hardliners in Iran appear to echo his sentiments, international observers and human rights groups have criticised the glorification of war and the human toll involved. The cleric’s statement, some argue, underscores the enduring volatility in the Middle East and the ideological divisions that continue to fuel conflict.
As both nations now count their losses, the world watches cautiously to see whether diplomacy or defiance will define the next phase of their fraught relationship.
